Lolo Paniolo, Swamp Souffle lock horns again at Emerald
Lolo Paniolo edged Swamp Souffle by a neck when they met going a mile in a $10,000 starter race that carried a $15,000 claiming option at Emerald Downs on July 10. They look like the main players in a sprint at the same level at Emerald Saturday. The 6 1/2-furlong dash for 3-year-olds and up drew seven horses and goes as the seventh race on an eight-race card that begins at 6:30 p.m. Pacific.
Lolo Paniolo is going for the hat trick, and he’s improved since trainer Tim McCanna claimed him on behalf of himself and Al Hodge for $8,000 at Golden Gate on May 20. The 4-year-old Kentucky-bred gelding by Paynter finished last in the one-mile conditioned claiming race on Tapeta. In his first start for his new connections, he was the runner-up in a $4,000 starter race 10 days later. He came from mid-pack in the one-mile race on turf.
He followed that up with a similar trip in an open $12,500 claimer but got up in time to win the 1 1/16-mile race on turf.
In his latest win Lolo Paniolo sat third while Adens Dream was setting down wicked fractions of 22.37 and 44.51 seconds.
It was his fourth win at Emerald and considering he is a two-time sprint winner at the Auburn, Wash., oval, he should be okay with the cutback in distance. Juan Gutierrez rides.
Swam Souffle also improved while making his first start for trainer Ari Herbertson. Prior to his narrow loss he finished a distant fifth in a $12,500 starter race for trainer Reed Saldana at Santa Anita on May 31.
A deep closer, Swamp Souggle was clearly aided by the rapid pace in his first start at Emerald. The 5-year-old Florida-bred gelding by Bodemeister has never won sprinting so the cutback in distance could be an issue. Plus, he will need a fast and contested pace and may not get it.
Mixo is coming off a win in an open $12,500 claimer for trainer Sharon Ross on July 15. He has decent tactical speed and could be dangerous from a forward position.
Longacres Mile gets 20 nominees
The Grade 3, $100,000 Longacres Mile closed Sunday with 20 horses nominated. Officials at Emerald are not sure how many horses will start but will have a better idea after the weights are released Friday.
Trainer Ed Moger said Stilleto Boy is a possibility. The 3-year-old Kentucky-bred gelding by Shackleford is coming off a front-running win for trainer Doug Anderson in the $250,000 Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows on July 2. Ten days after his 4 1/2-length victory in the 1 1/16-mile race, Stilleto Boy was bought by Steve Moger for $420,000 at the Fasig-Tipton July Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale. He is currently stabled at Del Mar.
Not many 3-year-olds have started in the one-mile stakes for 3-year-olds and up in recent years. The last sophomore to win the most prestigious race in the Northwest was Collaborator in 1958.